Campus to see influx of visitors for OHIO Up Close

As high school seniors prepare for graduation, the pressure to make the final decision of where to attend in the fall becomes daunting.

Undergraduate Admissions hopes to help make the decision to attend OHIO an easy one, and as part of these efforts will be hosting OHIO Up Close.

OHIO Up Close is a series of special visitation programs hosted for admitted students and their families to get a more in-depth feel for OHIO's campus and outstanding academics, while getting answers to their questions about the next step to enrollment.

"The students attending OHIO Up Close are at a critical point in the college decision process," Kevin Witham, senior associate director of Undergraduate Admissions said. "Many of these students are making those final decisions about where they'll be comfortable living, yet be academically challenged and engaged for the next few years. Some have visited the campus before, but for many this may be their first and last visit before making that crucial decision."

Students and their families can attend one of six OHIO Up Close days, including Monday, Feb. 18; Friday, March 15; Saturday, March 23; Friday, April 5; Friday, April 12; and Saturday, April 20.
More than 1,100 admitted first-year and prospective transfer students attended last year.

Guests will attend a welcome session, academic information session with representatives from academic units, and parent and student question-and-answer sessions.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to attend a resource fair, where they can meet with experts from student services offices like Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Residential Housing, and Culinary Services, among others.

Visitors will be able to take campus walking tours led by current student tour guides, activate their OHIO ID, and submit a housing contract and deposit or commuter exemption form, which confirms their intent to enroll.

New to the program this year are some instrumental changes that will help appeal to a wider range of students. Some of these changes include a lunch for out-of-state students and families with the Out-of-State Ambassadors student organization, transfer information sessions for prospective transfer students, and a multicultural student perspective luncheon.

Another new initiative is being offered through coordination with Residential Housing. Two housing-only tours will be available for visitors to see a wider range of on-campus living options than those that are typically offered on a campus walking tour.

"OHIO Up Close allows us to really showcase OHIO's academic excellence and the unique atmosphere students can find here," Witham said. "It's important for the University to bring in future students who will uphold the promise and legacy that is Ohio University."